Books calendar

Author discussion and signing - Hyde Park Free Library, 2 Main St., Hyde Park. 7 p.m. Jan. 30, Author talk and book signing with Quincy Mills, Vassar College history professor. He will discuss his history of black barbers and barbershops, "Cutting Along the Color Line."Copies of the book will be available for purchase. 845-229-7791.

Author reading - Kingston Library, 55 Franklin St., Kingston. 10:30 a.m. Feb. 1, McKenzie Willis, author and songwriter, will discuss his book, "Tales of the Rainbow Forest" as part of Take Your Child to the Library Day, recommended for children ages 4-8. Willis mixes traditional storytelling from his colorfully illustrated fantasy adventure book with musical interludes. A companion CD of children's songs is also available. The author has collaborated with local performer Gus Mancini of Woodstock, Leon Pendarvis of "Saturday Night Live" and local composer, Shirley Hoffman-Warren. The bright illustrations in the book are by Rick Holland. After the program, children may create their own posters or drawings. The inspiration for the book came from the author's two sons following butterflies and dragonflies in their backyard in New Paltz. 845-331-0507.

Author discussion and signing - East Fishkill Community Library, 348 Route 376, Hopewell Junction. 7 p.m. Feb. 3, Author Leslie Jasper talk about her book, "Construction Tales: Volume 1, A Woman's Journey to Become an Electrician." For the past 17 years, Jasper has worked as a journeywoman electrician in Westchester County and the five boroughs of New York City, as well as Fairfield County, Conn. She is also an evening OSHA instructor and writing coach for Empire College. Leslie received an MBA from Iona College. She lives with her two sons in Lake Carmel. Her book, full of true-life tales, is about her experiences entering the male-dominated world of one of the construction trades. Reservations are suggested, as space is limited. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing at this special event. Please register online at http://www.EFLibrary.org or call the library at 845-221-9943.

Author discussion and signing - Sanders Classroom Spitzer Auditorium (Room 212), Vassar College, 124 Raymond Ave., Poughkeepsie. 6 p.m. Feb. 5, Bestselling author Francine Prose will read from and discuss her forthcoming novel, "Lovers at the Chameleon Club, Paris 1932." Prose is serving as Vassar's writer-in-residence for the spring 2014 semester. Her most recent works of nonfiction include the acclaimed "Anne Frank: The Book, The Life, The Afterlife" and The New York Times bestseller, "Reading Like a Writer." 845- 437-5370. Free.